Although “Crazy, Stupid Love” doesn’t follow the rom-com formula, it’s one of the best comedies to come out this year, if not one of the best movies. It features an exceptionally strong ensemble cast, a witty and surprise-filled script by Dan Fogelman and perfect direction from the team of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. This movie is about the crazy, stupid things people do for love and instead of focusing on one couple, it spreads the jokes, the pain and the insights around, creating a universality that everyone can appreciate and understand. There’s the babysitter (Analeigh Tipton), who’s in love with the dad (Steve Carell). There’s the son (Jonah Bobo), who’s in love with the babysitter. There’s the mom (Julianne Moore), who has an affair with a co-worker (Kevin Bacon) and then asks the dad for a divorce. There’s the smooth-talking womanizer (Ryan Gosling), who takes home a different woman every night, except the one who gets away (Emma Stone). And there’s the woman (Marisa Tomei) who becomes the first of Dad’s post-marital conquests.
After Emily confesses her infidelity, a stunned Cal agrees to move out. Depressed, Cal begins frequenting an upscale singles bar, loudly complaining about his romantic woes. After a few nights of this, Jacob pulls Cal aside and offers to teach him how to be a player. Meanwhile, Cal’s 13-year-old son, Robbie, is loudly proclaiming his love for 17-year-old babysitter Jessica, who is herself trying to figure out a way to seduce an unwitting Cal. At the same time, Hannah (Stone), the only woman to laugh off Jacob’s advances, is studying to take the bar exam and hanging onto her boring beau, Richard (Josh Groban). Clearly, this is the best ensemble cast of the year with Carell and Gosling having the most central roles. Cal realizes who he really is by playing who he’s not and Jacob realizes who he should be. Carell, so at home with slapstick, finds a vulnerability and sincerity in Cal. And Gosling, probably better known for his serious roles, is charismatic and hunky, proving he’s as comfortable with comedy as he is with drama. His Jacob, so full of self-confidence, reveals an underlying unhappiness and Gosling makes both elements believable. And Emma Stone lights up the screen with her humor and charisma. This is the sort of film that Oscar generally ignores. Too bad. There’s everything to like about “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” 7/31/11
1 comment:
One of the best movies of the year this film has a great cast and an outstanding screenplay. a very entertaining movie that deserves Oscar consideration
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